Papon against India Test

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon stirred a debate yesterday by disclosing that he would prefer India to play three ODIs instead of a one-off Test during their tour of Bangladesh in June this year.

"Pakistan, Australia and South Africa will play full series' this year. Only India are supposed to play one Test. We are thinking whether there will be one Test or three ODI matches. What benefit will we get by playing a solitary Test against India?

“It may be better to play three ODIs against them. We are going to put forward this proposal. It is almost finalised that we will play a Test against India in 2016 at Eden Gardens," said Papon, while speaking to reporters at his Gulshan residence yesterday.

Papon's statement however came as a surprise to many, especially since Bangladesh are already scheduled to play three ODIs apart from the solitary Test against India this year.

“I don't know why he said this when, as far as I know, we have a one-off Test and three ODIs against India in the schedule. Maybe playing more ODIs can give us a chance to improve our ranking. The ranking will be an issue for direct entry into the next World Cup, but we cannot sacrifice any Test matches at this stage,” said a BCB higher-up preferring anonymity.

The last time India played a Test in Bangladesh was back in January 2010. They are yet to play a series in India.Bangladesh barely get the opportunity to play Tests. In 2014 they played seven Tests, five of which came against Zimbabwe and the West Indies. In 2013 they played just six Tests.  

Regarding Pakistan Cricket Board's demand of sharing the revenue from the upcoming series against the Tigers, Papon said that any pre-condition for playing a series in Bangladesh is unacceptable. The BCB boss also made it clear that they were not ready to share any revenue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and stated that the prevailing security situation in Pakistan is not favourable enough to send any team there.

“Of course there will be a discussion. I don't want our relationship with the Pakistan board deteriorate. I don't want Pakistan cricket to suffer but we have to give the highest priority to security,” added Papon.

The demand was made as Bangladesh refrained from touring Pakistan due to security concerns back in 2012.

 “It is a different issue, if they demand something like plane fare, that's something we can work out, but we cannot share our profits,” said Papon.